Single and multi-modulator projector systems with global dimming

ABSTRACT

Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulator are disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris, adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of lowering the luminance of the light source illuminated the first modulator. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. The display system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering a projected image by a combination of such control signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation from U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/937,482 filed Mar. 27, 2018, now allowed which is based on U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/032,612 filed Apr. 27, 2016 now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,958,762 which was a national stage application fromPCT/US2014/062963 filed Oct. 29, 2014 which claims the benefit ofpriority from U.S. Patent Application No. 61/988,692 filed 5 May 2014and U.S. Patent Application No. 61/899,865 filed 4 Nov. 2013, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to displays systems and, moreparticularly, to projector display systems having Enhanced Dynamic Range(EDR) capability.

BACKGROUND

In a conventional projector system, there is typically a single lightsource that illuminates a screen with an image that is modulated by someoptical system within the projector. Increasingly, it is desirable toconstruct projector systems that have the ability to project images withan Enhanced Dynamic Range (EDR). Such EDR projector displays maytypically have a contrast ratio that exceeds typical cinema standards ormodern displays including contrast ratios of more than 5,000 to 1 andmay be 1,000,000 to 1 and higher in some circumstances. Such displaysmay also have a color gamut that exceeds current cinema standards.

SUMMARY

Several embodiments of display systems and methods of their manufactureand use are herein disclosed.

Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulatorare disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris,adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of loweringthe luminance of the light source illuminated the first modulator. Thefirst modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMSarray) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors(e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controllerthat sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. Thedisplay system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering aprojected image by a combination of such control signals.

In one embodiment, a projector display system, said display systemcomprising: a light source; a controller; a light dimmer, said lightdimmer being illuminated by said light source and said light dimmerbeing controller by the controller to dim the amount of light from thelight source; a first modulator, said first modulator being illuminatedby light from said light dimmer and capable of modulating light fromsaid light dimmer under control from the controller. The controller mayfurther comprise: a processor; a memory, said memory associated withsaid processor and said memory further comprising processor-readableinstructions, such that when said processor reads the processor-readableinstructions, causes the processor to perform the followinginstructions: receiving image data, said image data comprising EnhancedDynamic Range (EDR) image data; sending control signals to said lightdimmer such that said light dimmer may allocate a desired proportion ofthe light from said light source onto said first modulator; and sendingcontrol signals to said first modulator such that said desiredproportion of the light from said light source is modulated to form thedesired screen image.

Other features and advantages of the present system are presented belowin the Detailed Description when read in connection with the drawingspresented within this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of thedrawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosedherein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a projector display system comprising aniris to affect global dimming that may be suitable for the systems,methods and techniques of the present application disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of projector display system comprisingan iris for more than one color channel to affect global dimming as madein accordance with the principles of the present application.

FIG. 3 depict yet another embodiment of a projector display systemcomprising an iris in more than one color channel which is split from aset of colored light sources.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict other embodiments of a projector display systemscomprising an integrating rod and a modulator in the path of theintegrating rod where the integrating rod may be either a unitary lightpipe or segmented.

FIG. 5 depicts one exemplary dynamic range mapping that may be affectedby a projector system as made in accordance with the principles of thepresent application.

FIG. 6 depicts one high-level diagram of image processing system thatmay affect processing by a projector system as made in accordance withthe principles of the present application.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a dual modulator projector system witha single global dimming iris dimming all the light sources.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a dual modulator projector systemcomprising an iris for more than one color channel to affect globaldimming at the emitting end of a set of light sources.

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of a multi-modulator projector systemwith a set of global dimming iris at the emitting end of a set of lightsources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in theart. However, well known elements may not have been shown or describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly,the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative,rather than a restrictive, sense.

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” “interface,”“controller” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either hardware, software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware.For example, any of these terms can be a process running on a processor,a processor, an object, an executable, a program, and/or a computer. Byway of illustration, both an application running on a server and theserver can be a component and/or controller. One or morecomponents/controllers can reside within a process and acomponent/controller can be localized on one computer and/or distributedbetween two or more computers.

The claimed subject matter is described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however,that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subjectinnovation.

Global Dimming EDR Projector Embodiment

EDR projector systems and dual modulation projector systems have beendescribed in commonly-owned patents and patent applications, including:

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 8,125,702 to Ward et al., issued on Feb. 28, 2012 andentitled “SERIAL MODULATION DISPLAY HAVING BINARY LIGHT MODULATIONSTAGE”;

(2) United States Patent Application 20130148037 to Whitehead et al.,published on Jun. 13, 2013 and entitled “PROJECTION DISPLAYS”

(3) United States Patent Application 20130147777 to Lau et al.,published on Jun. 13, 2013 and entitled “APPLICATION OF MEMS PIXELS INDISPLAY AND IMAGING DEVICES”; and

(4) United States Patent Application 20120038693 to Kang et al.,published on Feb. 16, 2012 and entitled “HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE PROJECTIONSYSTEM”.

-   -   which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In many of those EDR systems, there may be dual modulator architecturethat affects EDR projection. For example, one system may comprise one ormore DMDs that may separately modulate light from a light source andproduce EDR projection by locally dimming portions of an input screenimage.

As discussed further herein, there are systems, techniques and methodsfor performing a global dimming that may affect EDR projection ofdesired screen images.

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a projector system that may affect EDRprojection by employing global dimming with use of an iris. Projector100 comprises a light source—in this example, a bank of laser lightsources 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 and 102-1′, 102-2′ and 102-3′—which mayfurther comprises two (or more) RGB laser light sources. It should beappreciated that other light sources may be employed that are also knownin the art—e.g., a Xenon lamp, an array of lasers (e.g., diodes orotherwise) or other solid-state light emitters, an arc lamp, or thelike.

Light from light source 102 may be directed along an optical path (e.g.,an integrating rod 104 in the embodiment of FIG. 1) and encounter aniris 106. In some embodiments, the light source may be modulated undercontrol of controller 101. Iris 106 may (under control from controller101) may expand and/or constrict the amount of light in the path todesirably affect a global dimming of the projector system. Thereafter,the light 109 may continue along an optical path further (e.g.,integrating rod 108) to a first modulator. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,first modulator 110 may comprise one (or more) DMD arrays. In thisexample there are three DMD arrays 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3 (oralternatively, a three chip DLP assembly) respectively, as opticalcomponents 112 may split the incoming white light into its spectralcomponents (e.g. red, green and blue respectively). Iris 106 may be oneexample of a light dimmer for the projector system that dims the lightfrom the light source of the system. Another example of a suitable lightdimmer may be an adjustable light source that may adjust luminancelevels under control of controller 101.

First modulator 110 may thereafter affect a desired modulation (undercontrol from controller 101) of light—such that, when projected (113)through projector optics 114 may affect a desired projected image on ascreen (not shown) to one or more viewers. In one alternativeembodiment, the offstate light may also be recycled—providing anothercontrol parameter for the iris. In the case of recycling, the light maylikely be split into individual spectrums for each of the modulators.However, the modulator requiring the most light may drive the irisrequirements.

Alternative Global Dimming EDR Projector Embodiment

As an alternative to performing global dimming on the white light from alight source, it is possible to perform global dimming on the differentspectral channels that may be provided by a projector system. FIG. 2 isan alternative embodiment projector system comprising a light source 202(which may be modulated under control of controller 201). As before,light source 202 may be any source of light possible that may be splitinto its spectral components. In FIG. 2, light source 202 is a bank oflaser light sources (e.g., red, green and blue laser light) in which maybe transmitted along light fibers 204 r, g and b, respectively. For each(or some) color channel, there may be a set of irises 206 r, g and b,respectively. These irises may be under control of controller 201—suchthat each light channel may experience a global dimming of the lightchannel respectively.

Thereafter, the light may be combined in light combiner (e.g., anintegrating rod 208) and—as before—light may illuminate first modulator210 that may comprise one (or more) DMD arrays. Here, as before, thereare three DMD arrays (or alternatively, a three chip DLP assembly)respectively, as the optical components may split the incoming whitelight into its spectral components (e.g. red, green and bluerespectively). As examples of other embodiments to FIGS. 1 and 2, asecond modulator (not shown—but similar to 110 and/or 210) maythereafter affect another desired modulation (under control fromcontroller 201) of light—such that, when projected through projectoroptics 214 may affect a desired projected image on a screen (not shown)to one or more viewers.

FIG. 3 is yet another embodiment of a projector system that affectsglobal dimming on separate color channels. Projector system 300 maycomprise a white light source 302 (from any known source, e.g., xenonlamp, arc lamp or the like). Dichroic beam splitters 303 and 305 areable to split the green, red and blue light onto their separate opticalpaths. Irises 306 r, g and b may affect the desired global dimming onthese separate color channels. The resulting light may be placed opticalpaths 308 r, g and b respectively—and thereafter, may be separatelymodulated (by Mod, for each respectively channel, as is known in theart). Light from these separately modulated may be sent along opticalpaths 309 r, g and b, respectively—and recombined as desired to form acombined light beam.

Alternative Embodiments for Light Integration and Modulation

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict another embodiment for modulating and integratingthe light from the light source. FIG. 4A depicts that—prior to lightentering an integrating rod 108 (or any other suitable light pipe and/orconduit)—there may be placed prior to the rod 108, an LCD stack 402. LCDstack 402 may further comprises a first polarizing layer 404, an LCD 406and a second polarizing layer 408. LCD stack 402 may be under control bycontroller 101 and may provide an additional point of modulation of thelight, as may be desired.

FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment in which the LCD stack may be partitioneditself (e.g. 402-1, 402-2, 402-3 and 402-4—or any other number ofpartitions)—so that the light entering into integrated rod 108 may bedimmed according to the individual LCD stacks that are in the opticalpath. Integrated rod 108 in this instance may itself be so partitionedand/or segmented and the light from that partitioning and/orsegmentation may illuminate different areas of the projection screenitself, to affect a regional dimming of the projector system.

Global Dimming Image Processing Embodiments

In one embodiment, methods for determining global (and/or regional)brightness levels for a frame or scene may be affected to achieve adesired projected image to be displayed. These methods may beimplemented based on a per-frame and/or a per-scene basis. These methodsmay employ histogram and/or metadata in order to affect this processing.For merely one aspect, these methods may provide a smooth transitionbetween brightness levels in a frame. In some embodiments, variations inthe gradient of the brightness level changes may be implemented forscene changes, different types of scene changes, and/or different typesof brightness level changes that may occur within a scene. In anotherembodiment, these methods may include R,G,B independent illuminationadjustments with or without having entire scene knowledge. Methods nothaving entire scene knowledge may employ techniques such as, e.g.,analyzing the current frame or nearby frames (either before/after).

The brightness levels may be registered to regions via, for example, asegmented light pipe, and the brightness levels may then beanalyzed—e.g., based on similar factors and also with respect to othersegments in the same or temporally related frames. In addition, ahistogram may be calculated or provided via metadata encoded in theimage data (and/or provided from a separate source) of frame data orregionally based frame data

Other alternative embodiments may employ intelligent guessing (e.g., AI,heuristics) to determine scene changes or special regionally based caseswhere viewers may be more tolerant to abrupt brightness changes. Inanother embodiment, metadata based on off-line processing orpost-production tweaking or intervention may be included in meta-dataencoded or provided separately. Further information may be provided fortransitions from high dynamic range (HDR) to low dynamic range (LDR) forbackward compatibility with legacy systems or to provide special newfeatures such as enhanced higher dynamic range, enhanced 3D, etc.

In one embodiment, metadata may be provided in a separate file alongwith keys for unlocking frame content or various features to show themovie with enhancements provided by special processing of the contentand/or as directed by the metadata. In an extension, the brightnessparameters may be provided to adjust all the primaries at once or inpairs or any other grouping combination when using source adjustment.

For the various embodiments described herein with an iris, these methodsmay be utilized by adjusting the primaries—e.g., the iris can beadjusted instead of the sources. While potentially less efficient, itallows for the panel contrast to be applied over a larger brightnessrange (e.g., increasing sequential contrast) and may improvesimultaneous on screen contrast by reducing the aperture size in theprojection lens (e.g., corner box and ANSI contrast).

R,G,B Independent Illumination Adjustment without Entire Scene Knowledge

For merely two embodiments of methods to employ on a RGB (or otherspectral separation scheme) that may not have entire scene knowledge,the display system may affect one or both methods during the course ofprocessing as follows:

-   -   (1) Analyze the current image frame to determine color gamut        volume; in particular the maximum contribution required each        individual primary channel (e.g., individually controllable        illumination source of fixed wavelength range). Use these        maximum requirements to set the levels of each individual        primary.    -   (2) Analyze the current image frame and frames before and/or        after to determine the maximum requirements over time and        provide a more smooth transition of illumination adjustments        over time.

It may be possible to use either method above if there are individuallycontrollable illumination sources for each primary and each of thosesources can be registered to a portion of the modulation device (e.g.,using a method like a segmented integrating rod). A maximum requirementcalculation may be done on a regional basis associated with eachindividually controllable source. This may tend to provide enhancedsimultaneous contrast if used properly in conjunction with other dualmodulation compensation algorithms to remove errors associated withsegment boundaries.

These adjustments may tend to reduce power consumption and prolonglifetime. In addition, these adjustments may allow the panel contrast tobe applied over a larger brightness range (e.g., improved sequentialcontrast).

Primary Independent Illumination Adjustment with Entire Scene Knowledge:

In those embodiments in which the system has entire (or substantiallyall) scene knowledge, then one suitable method may employ histogram dataand desired mapping parameters to the illumination adjustmentalgorithm—possibly by means of metadata.

In another embodiment, it may be possible to delay playback enoughframes to calculate a smooth transition of the illumination sources overtime. However, even if this was implemented, it may do so withoutknowledge of the scene cut locations and may need to rely on intelligentguessing to know when more abrupt changes would be tolerated. Byproviding histograms for each scene, a suitable method may allow forillumination sources to have adjustment profiles which may implementabrupt changes in addition to removing the need to delay and analyze thecontent.

Histograms—even with scene knowledge which may be automaticallygenerated—tend to lack the ability to provide the ideal mappingpreferences when transforming high dynamic range content to lowerdynamic range displays. EDR metadata may be generated with the knowledgeof these preferences directly from creative interaction. As such, usingmetadata with desired mapping parameters may further enhance theillumination level adjustments to produce a final sequence of imageswhich substantially represent the creative intent independent of thedisplay's overall performance.

In yet another embodiment, it may be possible to adjust all theprimaries at once or in pairs or any other grouping combination whenusing source adjustment. In addition, all the illumination exiting theprojection lens may be adjusted using an adjustable iris under algorithmcontrol, as described herein. In some embodiments, it may be possible toadjust the source, adjust the irises, or some combination of both.

These methods involving illumination adjustment may allow for the panelcontrast to be applied over a larger brightness range (e.g., increasingsequential contrast) and may improve simultaneous-on-screen contrast byreducing the aperture size in the projection lens (e.g., corner box andANSI contrast).

Dynamic Range Mapping Embodiments

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict one example and embodiment of image processingwhere the dynamic range mapping may occur in a system that may compriseadjustable irises and/or adjustable light (e.g. laser and/or LED)systems. These systems may employ the current frame (or a few framesbefore or after) to determine the iris or LED settings. In some suchsystems, it may not be possible to have knowledge of the entirescene—and thus adjustments may be made which adversely affect the viewerexperience. To improve viewer experience, it may be possible to employalgorithms using the knowledge gain developing display management.

FIG. 5 depicts a dynamic range mapping 500 that illustrates severalembodiments. The potential full dynamic range (Min to Max) of the inputimage content (502) may be particularly large. If the dynamic range ofthe current content to be rendered is shown at 504, then the content isasking for very bright content to be rendered. However, the dark valuesin the content will be rendered relatively brightly as well. The displaysystem may be able to adjust the luminance level to range 506 (e.g., viathe dimming techniques (irises and/or adjustable light source, describedherein) to achieve darker values with a maximum value that may besuitable for rendering.

FIG. 6 is one embodiment of a method that may be suitable to affect theimage processing for projector systems described herein. In particular,FIG. 6 illustrates example processing and light modulation paths in apresent display system with global light modulation capability. In someembodiments, the processing path includes a global modulation driver(602) and a display management module (604) that are respectivelyconfigured to control light generation components, light modulationcomponents (612), light control components (610), etc., in theprojection path for the purpose of rendering LDR images on a displayscreen (606). The light modulation components (612) may be, but are notlimited to, Digital Light Processing (DLP)/Liquid Crystal on Silicon(LCoS)/Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) based light modulation components.The light control components (610) may be but are not limited to aglobal aperture, a global iris, etc., and are controlled in part by asetting of global light modulation. The LDR images are derived to alarge extent by perceptually accurately adjusting input code values inVDR input images which may be received in a video signal input of a widedynamic range.

In the processing path, a VDR input image in the video signal input isanalyzed by the global modulation driver (602) to determine a luminancelevel distribution (e.g., histogram, tables, etc.) of the VDR inputimage, and to determine an optimal dynamic range window (which is aninstance of the LDR under a specific setting of global light modulation)to which input code values in the VDR input image are mapped. Thedetermination of the optimal dynamic range window includes adetermination of absolute minimum and maximum luminance levels to begenerated by a global light source module (608) and/or by global lightmodulating components such as a global aperture, a global iris, etc. Theglobal modulation driver (602) can be configured to perform light sourcecontrol operations as well as perform control operations of the globallight modulation components (612), and to modulate global amount oflight to illuminate one or more local modulation layers for the purposeof rendering an LDR image—which corresponds to the VDR input image—onthe display screen (606). In some embodiments, the global modulationdriver (602) can also be configured to perform laser modulation controlas a part of global or local light modulation.

The display management module (604) of FIG. 6 can be configured tocontinuously update its input parameters such as the minimum and maximumluminance levels of optimal dynamic range windows. In some embodiments,the minimum and maximum luminance levels of the optimal dynamic rangewindows vary as functions of settings of global light modulation fromimage to image. Specific settings of global light modulation depend onimage data of specific VDR input images and are used to place the lightsource module (608) and light modulation components (612) in specificstates to produce specific minimum and maximum luminance levels andoptimal dynamic ranges.

The display management module (604) of FIG. 6 can be configured toperform continuous adjustment between the input code values in VDR inputimages and output code values in corresponding LDR images. The displaymanagement module (604) can be configured to perceptually map input codevalues in a VDR input image into a specific optimal dynamic range windowdetermined based on the VDR input image. Pixel adjustments generated ordetermined by the display management module (604) can be used to controlpixel-level or pixel-block-level light modulation components (612) torender on a display screen (606) a perceptually correct LDR imagecorresponding to the VDR input image.

To avoid “pumping” artifacts (e.g., unintended oscillations or suddenshifts of absolute minimum and maximum luminance levels in consecutivedynamic range windows, etc.), temporal dampening can be applied so thattwo different dynamic range windows can transition into each otherrelatively gradually, for example, in a time interval 0.5 second, 1second, 3 seconds, etc., rather than suddenly, perceptually speaking.

The display system is configured to determine/select a dynamic rangewindow for a VDR input image and to identify/determine an input codevalue range for perceptual preservation in the dynamic range window. Forexample, the display system can determine a luminance level distributionof the VDR input image, select the dynamic range window to cover as muchin the luminance level distribution as possible, and determine, based onthe display system's global light modulation capability, a particularsetting of global light modulation to produce the dynamic range window.Luminance levels in the luminance level distribution may be weighteddifferently. Luminance levels that have relatively large numbers ofpixels are assigned relatively high weights in relation to otherluminance levels that have relatively small numbers of pixels. Thedisplay system may be biased to select the dynamic range window to covermore luminance levels that have relatively numerous pixels. Further, thedisplay system can use the luminance level distribution to identify theinput code value range for perceptual preservation in the dynamic rangewindow.

The display system may be configured to minimize the number of“out-of-range” pixels outside the input code value range for perceptualpreservation and/or minimize the number of levels that need luminancecompression. The display system may be configured to minimize the numberof luminance levels that needed luminance compression (e.g., throughtone-mapping, display management operations including but not limited tothose developed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc., San Francisco, Calif.,etc.).

The display system can perceptually and accurately adjust the input codevalues of in-range pixels to output code values, and map the input codevalues of out-of-range pixels to output code values with compressedluminance levels through tone-mapping, etc.

Operations to select optimal dynamic range windows to cover at leastsalient portions of VDR input images and operations to set settings ofglobal light modulation are correlated. A feedback loop may beimplemented between the display management module (604) and the globalmodulation driver (602) to continuously select dynamic range windows andset settings of global light modulation. As a result, perceptuallycorrect images can be maintained even when the overall luminance levelsof VDR input images change over time.

VDR luminance levels of in-range pixels of a VDR input image can beperceptually maintained by LDR luminance levels in one or more portionsof a dynamic range window reserved for perceptual preservation.Depending on the dynamic ranges of the VDR input images as received bythe display system, it is possible that certain VDR luminance levels ofthe VDR input image still lie outside of the selected dynamic rangewindow and thus still end up clipped or compressed. The clipping andcompression of some VDR luminance levels can be perceptually hidden bymapping those VDR luminance levels into LDR luminance levels in someportions of the dynamic range window reserved for display management. Atany given time, zero or more portions of a dynamic range window reservedfor display management and one or more portions of the dynamic rangewindow reserved for perceptual preservation constitute the entiredynamic range window.

Dual Modulator Projector Systems with Global Dimming

As the combination of a global dimming mechanism with a single modulatorprojector system provides. As disclosed herein, single modulatorprevious projector systems comprised single modulator

FIG. 7 is one embodiment of a dual modulator display system 700 thatcomprises a light source 702 (and in this embodiment, different laserlight source banks 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-1′, 702-2′ and 702-3′) thatmay be combined at integrating rod 704-1, globally dimmed by iris 704and continue through pipe 704-2. Light path 703 may have opticalcomponents 706 prior to illuminating first modulator (e.g.,pre-modulator) 708 that may comprise a three chip modulator 708-1,708-2, 708-3. First modulator 708 may form the pre-mod image (or, also,highlights as a highlights modulator) to create the light field for thesecond and/or primary modulator 716. Prior to second/primary modulator716, the light may be blurred through optics assembly 712 which manycomprise optical components 710 and 714. As mentioned, first modulator708 may affect a number of light processing—such as, e.g., a half-tonepre-modulator, a highlights modulator, or any combination thereof.

Light may dumped to Offstate Lights 1 and 2, as desired. Once desiredlight makes it into projected image illumination 713, this light maypass through a projector lens system 718 to produce the final projectedimage to be viewed. As noted, various components may be under control ofcontroller 720 including first and second modulators (708 and 716), thelight sources (702)—as well as the iris (704) itself.

FIG. 8 is yet another embodiment of a dual modulator system as depictedin FIG. 7—with the exception that the light coming from light source 802may be partitioned into its constituent colors—e.g., red (804-r), green(804-g) and blue (804-b)—and each color channel may be separately dimmedvia irises 806 r, 806 g, and 806 b. The numbering of elements in FIG. 8follow the numbering in FIG. 7 (e.g., first modulator 808 in FIG. 8 maycomprise the same or similar components to first modulator 708 in FIG.7—and so on.). As such, FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a dual modulatordisplay system 800 that comprises a light source 802 that may becombined at integrating rods 804 r, 804 g and 804 b globally dimmed byirises 806 r, 806 g and 806 b and continue through pipe 808. The lightpath illuminating first modulator (e.g., pre-modulator) 808 that maycomprise a three chip modulator 808-1, 808-2, 808-3. Offstate lightpaths comprise paths 805 and 811. First modulator 808 may form thepre-mod image (or, also, highlights as a highlights modulator) to createthe light field for the second and/or primary modulator 816. Prior tosecond/primary modulator 716, the light 807 may be blurred throughoptics assembly 812 which many comprise optical components 810 and 814.As mentioned, first modulator 808 may affect a number of lightprocessing—such as, e.g., a half-tone pre-modulator, a highlightsmodulator, or any combination thereof. Light 809 illuminates secondmodulator 816 that may comprise a three chip modulator 816-1, 816-2,816-3. Both modulators 808 and 816 may be controlled by controller 820.Once desired light makes it into projected image illumination 813, thislight may pass through a projector lens system 818 to produce the finalprojected image to be viewed.

FIG. 9 is yet another embodiment of a dual/multi-modulator projectordisplay system. The display system of FIG. 9 may comprise substantiallythe same configuration as FIG. 8 for the first part of the lightpath—e.g., 902, 904-x, 906-x correspond with those elements of FIG. 8.Combined beam 904 may then processed by adjustable polarizer 905—whichmay be used in conjunction with polarizing beam splitter 906 and 916.Beam splitter 906 splits the input light into beams 908 and 914.

Split beam 908 may be reflected by mirror assembly 910 to apre-modulator and/or highlight modulator 912. This first modulator 912may have the same or similar processing as mentioned, for example, withrespect to modulator 708 or 808 above. In one embodiment, modulator 912may create a non-uniform light field for modulator 918 as describedherein—which may be combined with uniform light field. It should benoted that modulator 912 may be again be a pre-modulator and/or ahighlights modulator. In one embodiment, light splitting into uniformand non-uniform light fields may be useful—as modulator 912 may thenonly need to generate the bright areas (e.g., highlights) of the imageand the uniform illumination may handle the rest of the required lightby modulator 918. Light from modulator 918 is directed to optics 920 tobe projected onto to screen 922.

After receiving the image data, a controller (not shown) may calculatethe uniform light versus non-uniform light percentage and settingadjustable polarizer 905 accordingly. Controller may also control irises906 r, 906 g and 906 b to allow only the light needed to enter thesystem for each color channel to form the desired image. In anotherembodiment, it may be possible to construct the display system toprocess each color channel separately—e.g., where elements 905 onward to918 may be replicated to be separately controlled for each colorchannel.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention, readalong with accompanying figures, that illustrate the principles of theinvention has now been given. It is to be appreciated that the inventionis described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention isnot limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is limitedonly by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives,modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific details have been setforth in this description in order to provide a thorough understandingof the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of exampleand the invention may be practiced according to the claims without someor all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A display method, comprising: receivingHigh Dynamic Range (HDR) input image data, the input image datacomprising an HDR luminance level distribution associated with an imagescene; mapping the HDR input image data to a Low Dynamic Range (LDR)window of a display system that covers the HDR luminance leveldistribution to a desired amount; hiding out-of-range HDR input imagedata into LDR luminance levels in a portion of the LDR window that isreserved for display management; and sending signals to a light dimmerof the display system to effect mapping of the HDR input image data tothe LDR window.
 2. The display method of claim 1, wherein the step ofmapping the HDR input image is maintained by LDR luminance levels in oneor more portions of the LDR window reserved for perceptual preservation.3. The display method of claim 1, wherein the step of mapping the HDRinput image is continuously updated while receiving HDR input imagedata.
 4. The display method of claim 1, wherein the step of mapping theHDR input image data to an LDR window further comprises temporaldampening a transition between two different dynamic range windows toavoid visual artifacts.
 5. The display method of claim 4, wherein thetemporal dampening occurs in a range from 0.5 seconds to 3 seconds.
 6. Adisplay method, comprising: processing image data to determine globallight modulation settings and an optimal dynamic range window; mappingthe image data into the optimal dynamic range window, the mappingcomprising mapping code values of the image data in a perceptualpreservation dynamic range window contained within the optimal dynamicrange window without clipping or compression and mapping code values ofthe image data that are outside of the perceptual preservation dynamicrange window with one or both of clipping and compression; sendingcontrol signals to a light dimmer for allocating a desired proportion ofthe light from a light source onto a modulator, the desired portionbased on the optimal dynamic range window; and sending control signalsto the modulator for modulating the desired proportion of the light fromthe light source to form a desired screen image.
 7. The display methodof claim 6, wherein the light source comprises a xenon lamp, an arclamp, a laser, an array of lasers, or an array of solid-state lightemitters.
 8. The display method of claim 7, wherein the light sourcecomprises an array of lasers wherein the lasers are modulated globallyand locally.
 9. The display method of claim 6, wherein the light dimmercomprises an adjustable iris or an adjustable light source.
 10. Thedisplay method of claim 9, wherein the modulator comprises MEMS array,DMD array, a set of controllable analog mirrors, or a set ofcontrollable digital mirrors.
 11. A projector display system,comprising: a light source, the light source further comprising a set ofcolored laser light sources; for each color, a light conduit providing alight path for the corresponding colored light from the set of coloredlaser light source; for each light conduit, a light dimmer configured toadjust the luminance of its associated colored laser light and allocatea desired proportion of the light from the light source; a lightcombiner configured to combine each the colored laser light passingthrough each associated light dimmer; a modulator illuminated by lightfrom the desired proportion of the light from the light dimmer andconfigured to modulate the desired proportion of the light to form adesired screen image.
 12. The display system of claim 11, wherein thelight source comprises a xenon lamp, an arc lamp, a laser, an array oflasers, or an array of solid-state light emitters.
 13. The displaysystem of claim 12, wherein the light source comprises an array oflasers wherein the lasers are modulated globally and locally.
 14. Thedisplay system of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises anadjustable light source.
 15. The display system of claim 14, wherein themodulator comprises: MEMS array, DMD array, a set of controllable analogmirrors, or a set of controllable digital mirrors.
 16. The displaysystem of claim 11, wherein the system further comprises an integratingrod, the integrating rod accepting light combined from the set ofcolored light sources and transmitting light to the modulator.
 17. Thedisplay system of claim 16, wherein the system further comprises an LCDstack placed in front of the integrating rod, the LCD configured tomodulate light entering into the integrating rod.
 18. The display systemof claim 17, wherein the integrating rod is segmented and each segmentof the integrating rod further comprises an associated LCD stack.